Disconnect tools



9, 1969 GREENSPAN 3,461,534

DISCONNECT TOOLS Filed Aprii 24, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 BERTRAM GREENSPAN ATTORNEY Aug. 19, 1969 GREENSPAN 3,461,534

DISCONNECT TOOLS Filed April 24, 1967 '2 Sheets-Sheet FIG. 2

O B 26 I E 1 g FIG. 3 E 74* '6 &-? l2 i F INVENTOR o BERTRAM GREENSPAN BY Z ATTORNEY.

United States Patent 3,461,534 DISCONNECT TOOLS Bertram Greenspan, 112 Delia Lane, Philadelphia, Pa. 19115 Filed Apr. 24, 1967, Ser. No. 637,313 Int. Cl. H01r 7/00; B25b 27/14 US. Cl. 29-206 14 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The invention described herein was made in the performance of work under a NASA contract and is subject to the provisions of Section 305 of the National Aeronautics and Space Art of 1958, Public Law 85-568 (72 Stat. 435; 42 U.S.C. 2457).

This invention relates in general to the art of hand disconnect tools, and more particularly is directed to a tool capable of easily and quickly separating multi-pin type of electrical connectors.

In the spacecraft and electronic equipment industries wherein numerous fine wires must be connected together at various accessible terminal locations, the subminiature, multi-pin connector is almost universally employed. This type of connector owes its popularity to its efficient design, lightness in weight and the fact that it occupies very little space. Although the subminiature, multi-pin connector is functionally excellent, it suffers from one serious deficiency in that it is especially subject to damage during the disconnection operation. The problem becomes increasingly acute with 37-pin and 50-pin connectors. wherein the large number of mating parts render the device extremely difficult to separate after the junction of the mating parts has been completed. The standard connector in a typical spacecraft communications system must be engaged and disengaged for testing and repairs numerous times. One damaged contact pin can produce failures, intermittent operation or other unreliable functioning resulting in considerable loss of time and accompanying loss of money from the hours of testing and repair.

The disengaging of connectors becomes increasingly difiicult in areas where access is limited. Such a situation tempts the technician to disengage the connector by pulling on the connector cable or by prying with a screwdriver. Such actions inevitably lead to damage of the equipment.

In order to solve the problem, applicant has devised a tool suitable to be applied between the flanges of the mating connectors which can then be separated quickly and cleanly by a suitable simple hand motion. The cars of the tool are placed between the flanges of the mated connectors and a simple squeezing motion applies a linear force to separate the connectors. The tool can also be readily adjusted to accommodate connectors of varying width and a retaining spring holds the ears against the connector. The tool applies an equal extraction force on each side of the connector and thus prevents cocking of the connector during the separation process.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a disconnect tool of improved design.

It is another object of this invention to provide a disconnect tool that functions to quickly and cleanly separate mated connectors.

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It is another object of this invention to provide a disconnect tool capable of eliminating makeshift connector separation methods.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novel disconnect tool capable of substantially reducing the force required for separation of mating connectors.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novel disconnect tool capable of readily adjusting for operation with connectors of various widths.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novel disconnect tool incorporating spring means to hold the tool against the connector.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novel disconnect tool capable of separating mating connectors in relatively inaccessible areas.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novel disconnect tool so designed that it may readily be efficiently operated using only one hand.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention will be had by referring to the following description and claims of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan viw of the disconnect tool engaged in operating position upon a pair of mating connectors, the dotted lines representing the expanded position of the tool prior to engagement.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the tool in connector disengaging position.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a single arm modulation of the disconnect tool.

FIG. 5 is an end elevational view thereof.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view thereof.

FIG. 7 is a partial, side elevational view thereof in connector disengaging position.

Although specific terms are used in the following description for the sake of clarity, these terms are intended to refer only to the particular structure of my invention selected for illustration in the drawings and are not intended to define or limit the scope of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, I show in FIGS. 1 and 2 a connector disconnect tool comprising an expandable handle portion generally designated A and a slide portion, generally designated B in sliding engagement therewith.

The handle portion A includes a pair of flat, spaced, fixed sides 10, 12 that are forwardly inwardly bent at ninety degrees to provide a pair of facing, spaced connector engaging lips 14, 16. The lips may be circularly cut out as at 1'8, 20 to provide more complete flange engagement about the connector locking bolts 22, 24. A telescoping handle 26 rearwardly joins the fixed sides 10, 12 and in conjunction with the push rod 28 serves to vary the spacing between the sides. As can best be observed in FIG. 1, the inside handle rod 30 is a press fit Within the side opening 32 and telescopes within the outside handle rod 34. The affixed end of the rod 34 is pressed into the side opening 36 and is secured thereto in any well known manner. A longitudinal slot 38, which is cut through the sidewalls of the inside rod 30', operatively engages the outside rod supported dowel pin 40 to permit telescoping motion between the rods 30, 34 and to prevent the rods from pulling apart.

The push rod 38 aflixes at one end thereof to the fixed side 12 as by a threaded bolt 40 and passes through an opening 42 drilled through the fixed side 10 to provide a convenient operating extension exterior of the side 10. The push rod 38 serves to vary the spacing between the =3 sides 10, 12 to accommodate connectors of various sizes. as will hereinafter be more fully explained.

The slide assembly B includes a pair of spaced slides 46, 48 in respective sliding engagement with the fixed sides 10, 12. A pair of longitudinal slots 50, 52 and 54, 56 cut in each fixed side 10, 12 operatively receive the respective bolts 58, 60 and 62, 64 to permit sliding engagement between the fixed sides 10, 12 and the respective adjacent slides 46, 48. Each slide 46, 48 terminates forwardly in an inward ninety degree bend to provide inward lips 66, 68 of dimensions similar to the outer lips 14, 16. Circular cutouts 7'0, 72 cooperate with the cutouts 18, 20 to permit full connector flange engagement about the bolts 22, 24.

A telescoping slide handle 74 rearwardly joins the spaced slides 46, 48 and as can be best observed in FIG. 1 comprises an inner rod 76 telescoping within an outer rod 78. A coil spring 80 biases between the roll pin 82 affixied near the base of the inner rod 76 and the roll pin 84 affixed near the base of the outer rod 78 and serves to pull the slides together. It will be observed that the slides 46, 48 are respectively secured to the fixed sides 10, 12 and so the spring 80 also serves to bias the fixed sides together.

A coil spring 86 connects the terminal bolt 90 which is outwardly engaged in the fixed side and the bolt 60 which is affixed to the slide 46 and serves to forwardly bias the bolt 60 in its associated slot 52. Similarly, the coil spring 88 connects to the terminal bolt 92 which is outwardly engaged in the fixed side 12 and the bolt 64 which is aflixed to the slide 48 and serves to forwardly bias the bolt 64 in its associated slot 56. It is thus seen that the springs '86, 88 serve to normally pull the slide assembly B forwardly until the slide lips 66, 68 engage the handle portion lips 14, 16 in the initial position as illustrated in FIG. 2.

In FIGS. 4-7, I show a modified form of the disconnect tool that finds special utility when Working in very cramped locations. A plunger 94 slidingly engages an elongated handle 96 for separation of a connector by engaging the flanges as will hereinafter be more fully explained. The plunger 94 terminates forwardly in a ninety degree bent, connector flange engaging lip 98 which is circularly cut out as at 100 to permit operation about the connector bolts 22, 24. The rearward end of the plunger 94 bends at one hundred and eighty degrees from the lip 98 to provide a pressure plate 102 for operation of the device. A pin 104 aflixes at right angles to the pressure plate 102 and receives the operating spring 106 thereon.

The elongated handle 96 provides a sliding engagement with the plunger 94. The bolts 108, 110 aflix to the handle 96 and ride in cooperating elongated, longitudinal slots 112, 114 provided in the plunger to slidingly join the parts 94, 96. A lip 116 forwardly bends at right angles to the handle 96 and is normally forced into contact with the lip 98 by the bias of the spring 106. The lip 116 is cut out similarly to lip 98 and is generally of the same configuration. The handle '96 terminates rearwardly in a finger grip 118 to permit ready grasping of the tool. The finger grip 118, bends at right angles to the handle and extends laterally on each side thereof. A transverse slot 120 receives the rearward portion of the plunger 94 therethrough in sliding engagement and the plunger may be offset as at 122 to facilitate the operation.

In order to use my invention, the connector bolts 22, 24 must first be disengaged from the associated retaining devices in any well-known manner as necessitated by the exact type of bolt employed for this duty. Then the tool handle 26 is placed in the palm (not shown) of the hand of the user and the fingers (not shon) grasp the slide handle. The tool is positioned so that the exposed portion of the push rod 28 points toward the thumb of the operator. By pressing the push rod 28 with the thumb, the sides 10, 12 and their connected slides 46, 48 can be urged apart. It should be noted that the inside and outside handle rods 30, 34 and the inner and outer slide handle rods 76, 78 outwardly telescope against the bias of the spring 80. In this manner, the Width of the tool can be increased as necessary to permit the fixed side lips 14, 16 and the companion slide lips 66, 68 to fit over the connector bolts 22, 2.4. By releasing the thumb pressure upon the push rod extension 44, the spring then pulls the tool sides together thereby permitting the lips to engage the connector bolts 22, 24 intermediate the flanges 126, 128.

Finger pressure can thus be exerted upon the slide handle 74 to urge the slide handle and the tool handle 26 together against the bias of the springs 86, 88. This action pulls the slide lips 66, 68 rearwardly from the fixed side lips 14, 16 and thus applies separating pressures upon the connector flanges 126, 128. It should be noted that each slide lip 66, 68 travels exactly the same distance in response to the separation forces applied by the fingers of the user and so equal separating pressures are applied to each side of the connector 124. Once the connector halves have been separated, the slide handle may be released and the springs 86, 88 will pull the slide assembly A back to its initial position.

Although I have described my invention with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereafter claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. In a disconnect tool for separating mating halves of a multi-pin connector, the combination of (A) a handle assembly, said handle assembly includl) connector contacting means,

(2) a pair of spaced sides,

(a) said sides terminating forwardly in the said connector contacting means,

(3) and a telescoping handle transversely joining the said sides;

(B) a slide assembly slidable within the said spaced sides of the handle assembly, said slide assembly including (l) a pair of spaced slides,

(a) each of said slides being respectively in sliding contact with one of the said spaced sides,

(2) second connector contacting means,

(a) said means forwardly extending from each of the side slides;

(3) a telescoping handle transversely joining the said slides,

(4) and spring means contained within the said handle,

(a) said spring means urging the said slides together;

(C) Contact means urging the respective sides and slides together in sliding engagement,

( 1) said contact means including means to slidingly join the said respective sides and slides,

( 2) said contact means including means to urge the said connector contacting .means and said second connector contacting means into engagement;

(D) and push rod means afiixed at one end thereof to one of said sides,

(1) said push rod means transversely passing through the second said side to provide an operating extension, whereby the spacing between the said sides may be widened against the bias of the said spring means by pushing upon the said operating extension.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said connector contacting means included a lip bent at right angles to the a said side.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said connector contacting means include a lip bent inwardly at right angles to the said side.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said connector contacting means include a lip bent at right angles to the said side, said lip being forwardly cut out to provide a bolt engaging construction.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said contact means include a plurality of bolts afiixed in said slides, said bolts extending transversely outwardly through the said sides, said sides being provided with a plurality of longitudinal slots to receive the said bolts, and said bolts being equipped with flat, enlarged heads that are outwardly slidable upon the said sides over the said slots.

6. The invention of claim 1 wherein said contact means include a plurality of bolts afiixed in said slides, said bolts extending transversely outwardly through the said sides, said sides being provided with a plurality of longitudinal slots to receive the said bolts, said bolts being equipped with flat, enlarged heads that are outwardly slidable upon the said sides over the said slots, and spring means urging the slide assembly forwardly with respect to the said handle assembly.

7. The invention of claim 1 wherein the said contact means include a plurality of bolts affixed in said slides, said bolts extending transversely outwardly through the said sides, said sides being provided with a plurality of longitudinal slots to receive the said bolts, said bolts being equipped with flat, enlarged heads that are outwardly slidable upon the said sides over the said slots, and spring means urging the slide assembly forwardly with respect to the said handle assembly, said spring means including a coil spring stationarily aifixed at the forward end thereof to the said side and affixed at the rearward end thereof to one of the said transverse slide bolts.

8. In a single disconnect tool for separating mated halves of a multi-pin connector, the combination of (A) a handle,

(1) said handle terminating forwardly in connector separating means,

(2) said handle terminating rearwardly in finger gripping means;

(B) a plunger slidable upon the said handle,

(1) said plunger terminating forwardly in connector separating means,

(2) said plunger terminating rearwardly in a pressure push plate;

(C) spring means biasing between the said finger gripping means and the said pressure push plate,

(1) said spring means operating to urge said plunger connector separating means into engagement with the said handle connector separating means.

9. The invention of claim 8 wherein the said connector separating means include a lip bent at right angles to the said handle.

10. The invention of claim 8 wherein the said connector separating means include a lip bent at right angles to the said handle, the said lip being semi-circularly cut out to furnish a bolt engaging configuration.

11. The invention of claim 8 wherein the said finger gripping means extend transversely from the said handle.

12. The invention of claim 8 wherein the said finger gripping means extending equally transversely from each side of the said handle. I

13. The invention of claim 8 wherein the said spring means function axially along the longitudinal axis of the said tool.

14. The invention of claim 8 wherein the said finger gripping means are provided with a transverse slot and a portion of the said plunger functions through the said slot.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS THOMAS H. EAGER, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

